That Bad Eartha, Eartha Kitt’s second album, was released in 1954 and contained plenty of naughty jazz, including this gem. “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” was written by Cole Porter for the 1938 musical Leave It to Me!. It was originally sung by Mary Martin, playing the character of Dolly Winslow, the young “protégée” of a wealthy newspaper publisher, her sugar daddy.
In his lyrics, Porter chose a notoriously difficult word to rhyme with — daddy — leading to some amusing solutions (like the made up “undergraddy”), and, shall we say, more creative meanings. Finnan Haddie is a type of smoked fish from Scotland. Take that as you will.
Kitt’s distinctive voice and deliberate interpretation make this one of our favorite recordings. You can hear that slight, mischievous smirk in her voice at just the right moments.
I used to fall in love with all
Those boys who maul the young cuties
But now I find I’m more inclined
To keep my mind on my dutiesWhile tearing off a game of golf
I may make a play for the caddie
But when I do, I don’t follow through
‘Cause my heart belongs to daddyIf I invite a boy some night
To dine on my fine Finnan Haddie
I just adore his asking for more
But my heart belongs to daddyYes, my heart belongs to daddy
So I simply couldn’t be bad
Yes, my heart belongs to daddy
Da-da-da da-da-da da-da-daSo I want to warn you laddie
Though I know you’re perfectly swell
But my heart belongs to daddy
‘Cause my daddy, he treats it so wellThere was a dame, that a football game
Made long for the strong undergraddy
I never dream of making the team
‘Cause my heart belongs to daddyYes, my heart belongs to daddy
So I simply couldn’t be bad
Yes, my heart belongs to daddy
Da-da-da da-da-da da-da-daSo I want to warn you laddie
Though I know you’re perfectly swell
But my heart belongs to daddy
‘Cause my daddy, he treats it so well
So well
As a bonus, here is Eartha performing the song live from her 1967 television special “The Eartha Kitt Special”:
